Heart of Darkness Blog #1 pg. 429

In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Marlow starts off his story describing England as it was in the "very old times".  This is done as a way to help the reader understand the similarity of  Rome and England and  of England's current mission in Africa.  Just like Africa, the Romans considered England an primitive place.  However; eventually it was transformed into a thriving nation.  In this Conrad could possibly be foreshadowing the future of the congo and Africa in the novel, but just like England, it will not come easily or peacefully.  Great strife will first have to be met before Africa will be able to rise and prosper as its own nation.